People making a UConn vs Iona prediction may be surprised to see the UConn Huskies as a four-seed. UConn started the season 14-0 before hitting a rough patch in the Big East schedule. The Huskies would go through a stretch where they lost six of eight games to tank their current odds of winning March Madness.
While UConn would recover during the back half of the conference schedule, the Huskies couldn’t make up the ground they lost in the college basketball standings.
An old foe will be awaiting UConn in the first round. Looking at the NCAAB schedule shows that former Providence and Louisville coach Rick Pitino leads Iona. Despite being run out of bigger programs due to scandal, Pitino has done well at little New York University. The Iona Gaels closed the season by winning their last 14 games and will be primed to give UConn a run for its money.
UConn Huskies vs. Iona Gaels Odds
UConn vs Iona Information
UConn Huskies vs Iona Gaels
Location: MVP Arena, Albany, N.Y.
Date and Time: Friday, March 17, 2023, 2 P.M. ET.
How to Watch: TBS
Updates for UConn vs Iona
People making March Madness predictions will see that UConn has been successful against Iona in its history, winning four of the five meetings between the two schools.
What has made the Huskies one of the more successful NCAA basketball teams this season is their all-around game. UConn scores 78.5 points per game and limits its opponents to 65 points per game.
Forward Adam Sonogo is one of the college basketball players who has carried UConn. Sanogo has averaged 16.8 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. Sophomore guard Jordan Hawkins has also been an effective scorer for the Huskies, contributing 16.1 points per game. Anyone making a UConn vs Iona prediction will see that the Huskies haven’t won an NCAA Tournament game since 2016.
UConn was upset by No. 12 seed New Mexico State last season. People looking for history regarding March Madness bracket predictions will see the Gaels don’t have much history of success. Iona’s lone NCAA victory, an 84-78 win over Holy Cross in 1980, was vacated, so the Gaels, despite a few close calls, are 0-15 all-time in the NCAA Tournament.
Iona’s Balanced Offense Key to UConn vs Iona Prediction
When looking to make a UConn vs Iona prediction, considering the Gaels’ balanced offense is important. Iona has three players – Walter Clayton Jr., Daniss Jenkins, and Nelly Junior Joseph – who average 15 or more points per game. The Gaels average 76.9 points per game.
Iona shoots 36 percent from the 3-point line. This will be one of the more interesting NCAA basketball games today, as rumors of leaving the program have surrounded Pitino. While the Gaels may be worried that Pitnio will leave for another one of the NCAA basketball teams, Iona needs to focus on defending UConn if it wants to win.
Neither team has many players on the college basketball injury report. Iona is 20-14 against the spread this season, while UConn is 21-11-1. The Huskies have been excellent in neutral site venues, producing a 4-1 record against the spread. The Gaels are 6-4 against the spread in such a situation.
UConn vs Iona Betting Preview
Looking at the NCAAB odds shows that UConn is a 9-point favorite. The Huskies are -455 on the moneyline, while Iona is +320.
UConn vs Iona Betting Prediction
The Huskies are a team that some people will like as a dark horse when it comes to odds of winning March Madness. UConn still needs to show that it has the toughness to win in high-pressure situations. People making NCAAB picks this season have been let down more than once by the Huskies.
However, that doesn’t mean the Huskies are one of the bad NCAA basketball teams. Iona is a strong team that is coached by one of the best-ever college coaches. Huskies coach Danny Hurley needs to prove he belongs.
UConn will survive and advance but won’t cover the spread.
- BETTING PICK: Iona +9
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